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Preferred Term:

least squares

Definition:
A statistical method for finding a line or curve (i.e., the 'best fit') that represents a relationship between two measured quantities (e.g., height and age of a stand of trees). The measurements are plotted as points on a graph. If they fall near the same line, the least squares method is used to find the minimum of the sum of the squares of the vertical distances of each data point from the proposed line.
Concept Schemes:
NALT Full
NALT Core
Broader Concept:
Entry Terms:
  • least squares analysis
  • least squares method
  • least squares regression analysis
URI:
https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/49452
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RDF/XMLCreated 2006-01-19, last modified 2020-01-29